Alcohol and how it acts as a depressant

A depressant is a drug that slows down the rate of the body's functions and alcohol is a nervous system depressant, where it slows down parts of the brain. Areas it affects include those that control inhibition, thought, attention, perception, judgement, memory, sleep and coordination. Alcohol also depresses the ability to regulate emotion, which is why certain intoxicated people can tend to become aggressive or emotional. Alcohol can be extremely addictive to some, and when abused long-term, the drug can eventually lead to symptoms of depression.

It is true, however, that having an alcoholic drink can temporarily put a hold  on social anxiety and make us more bubbly, confident and laid back. "Alcohol acts as a sedative, so it can help you feel more at ease in the short term," says Dr Sarah Jarvis, medical advisor at Drinkaware. Alcohol has been seen to cause endorphins to be released in specific areas of the brain – and the higher the level of endorphins the better you feel, drinkers reported.. The endorphin activity also increased in the nucleus accumbens, also known as the "pleasure center." Alcohol can also release dopamine (another neurotransmitter chemical responsible for pleasure). This in turn causes people to want to drink more to produce these feelings. However in the long term for some, this can be create very hazardous effects. Alcohol encompasses both stimulating and sedative effects. She continues, "The relaxed feeling you experience when you have your first drink is due to your brain. Alcohol depresses the part of the brain we associate with inhibition, but these effects wear off fast and the pleasant feelings fade." Drinking alcohol reduces the amount of serotonin in the brain; serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps you to feel calm and happy but low levels of this are associated with increased anxiety

Alcohol impacts the brain in a variety of ways. The substance binds to receptors for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter responsible for producing feelings of calmness and sedation, as well as the suppression of breathing and heart rate. Alcohol also inhibits glutamate, resulting in memory loss and other impaired brain functionality.

There are numerous non-physical effects of depressant abuse as well. Many of these abusers can experience problems with finances, employment, friends, and family. Furthermore, the effects that alcohol induces can easily put others at risk and in danger also, such as: drink driving, having unprotected sex, and participating in physical altercations. Following heavy use of alcohol the person may experience a ‘hangover’ the morning after. The effect can include: nausea,vomiting, headache, dehydration, low mood and anxiety.

Drink responsibly,
Thanks for reading.

Written by Meghana Vipin

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